by Mari Robeson in Interior Design, Textiles
My little Chyna and I had fun yesterday setting up new displays and getting ready for our big party this Friday night! She's only 9 years old and has such a natural sense of design. This is my new crib set I designed with my Cherry fabric. I love the way this rolly polly Cherry Pillow came out!
There are still 2 days left to "comment" and be entered to win! I'll be picking the winners this Friday! Party starts at 5:00 pm. I hope to see you there!
by Mari Robeson in Interior Design
I feel very fortunate to have really amazing clients who all become good friends. This is a home I started working on a few years ago for a Play Room and came back early this year to do a full Kitchen remodel (gutted all the way down to studs! Fun! Love that!). I talk a lot about showing some final pics of my work and truth is, I'm always so busy onto the next job that I've just been a big flake on taking pictures. So I'm going to try and be better at this even if these are from my own little camera. I love the way this kitchen came out. It's elegant and warm just like the owner!
by Mari Robeson in Interior Design
One of my favorite parts of designing is tile selection and layout. I have three projects right now in the "Tile Stage". I only wish I had the budget on these projects to use all of this gorgeous stuff! Some projects I do, but when I don't, I try to put the "eye candy" in my focal spots. I am in love, love, love with the new tiles from Walker Zanger....Yum! Ann Sacks has gorgeous new designs too. They both have terrific websites for inspiration on your next home improvement project!
by Mari Robeson in Interior Design
I've been a little MIA lately...just swamped with projects...(thank goodness)...and a little under the weather too, not so fabulous. I feel a bit like a ping-pong ball lately, bouncing from one project to another but that's nothing new. I think the rainy California weather has also made me retreat a bit. It's just been a time to design. Thoughtfully, not on the fly for once. So I've been doing a lot of research lately from finding the perfect bedroom set to figuring out how to make Greek Columns look Spanish for a new restaurant (long story, don't ask). But in a moment of procrastination I landed on this great ETSY site by surface and textile designer Lana Cole. Her vinyl decals are a great and inexpensive solution to give any room a little character and personality.
by Mari Robeson in Interior Design, Textiles
I'm listening to you and I thank you for sharing with me your ideas and thoughts on design and color. I mentioned I was asked to put together a fabric collection in a past post. As I put the finishing details on the designs I now head into the world of COLOR... Thanks to many of you who email me and pop into my boutique, it seems pretty clear what colors you are looking for. One company I carry here at the boutique has got the whole color thing right on. My heart did a little pitter patter when I opened their latest catalog. I'm loving the rich eggplant, the royal blues, and the pops of yellow. I'm thinking good old green is going to make a come back this season as well. The colors are bright and cheerful, something everyone could use a bit more of these days. I see more and more of my clients loosing their fear of color and it's a wonderful sight to see. Check out these beautiful shots from the new Bliss Catalog. Coming to my store front window next week! Happy weekend everyone... :-)
by Mari Robeson in Interior Design
Let's see....I have about five Interior Design projects in full swing right now and they are all completely different. This is ideal for me because I like so many different styles. I love the opportunity to get into my clients head and help bring "their vision" to fruition. I actually had one client of mine walk through another house I designed and she turned and said to me, "I don't see any of you here at all." and...that client loves "their" home... Big smile. That's when I know I've done my job right.
Don't get me wrong, I love a project when I'm told I can do whatever I want, but really, a good designer should assist you in bringing forth "your" vision. So, that said, everyone has different ideas on what they want so I am constantly hunting for my clients to bring them resources and ideas that fit their project. One of my favorite blogs to read lately has been The Inspired Room. If you're looking to do a little updating and want some inspiration it's a fun read. I love the way the mirror is treated in this vanity she had posted under beautiful bathrooms. I guess I'm just a glam girl at heart....
by Mari Robeson in Interior Design
In my design business I work with a lot of different contractors. One of my favorite contractors to work with is Kyle Martin of Mountain Pacific Builders. Kyle is from New Zealand and has the Kiwi accent to go with it. We have just completed a beautiful remodel in the Canyons of Arroyo Grande. (I'll be taking pictures of that project next week!) It was one of the most enjoyable projects I have worked on, partly because the owner is one of the kindest people I have ever met, and also because of Kyle, contractor extraordinare! He is very considerate of his clients. He shows up when he says he will. He stays on budget....I know! but it's true! He answers his phone...even after hours. He has great ideas and a crew of guys that are all true craftsmen. I Highly Recommend Kyle for any of your new construction or remodeling projects!!!! You can check out his website here.
by Mari Robeson in Interior Design, New News!
My family & I just enjoyed a lovely afternoon at the newly remodeled Rosa's in Pismo Beach. They had a fantastic Grand Re-Opening. It was so fun to see everyone that worked on the project and all their loyal customers too. The Telegram Tribune gave them a lovely write up as well. You can read the article here. I am telling you Rosa's is the new hot spot for great food and fun on the Central Coast. If you're local, it's really worth your while to check them out! and....WOW! Thank you Bill, Doug and Shannon for the yummy J. Lohr (my favorite)!!!!
I feel very honored to work on a new design project that stands to be one of the most pivotal projects of my entire career. In respect to my client's privacy, I won't say a whole lot about the specifics, but the project itself is as cutting edge as they come. We are shooting to be as green as possible and fully sustained by natural power, solar and wind. There are so many fantastic green products emerging on the market that it has been really interesting researching them all. My approach to the interior design will be very sleek and modern. There is no better website than Trendir to research the latest and greatest in hot new, modern products for your home. (Actually if there is, I'd love to hear about it!) I just love this website and thought you might too!
by Mari Robeson in Interior Design, New News!
It just came to my attention that a really lovely article was written about the restaurant I just finished designing, Rosa's in Pismo Beach! This is a picture of Doug the Head Chef and one of the nicest people I think I have ever met. You can read the full article here! (not sure if this link will work after 6/16/08???)
I'm pretty sure it's the Full Moon but all kinds of crazy things are happening! From my laptop crashing to my refrigerator breaking...this has been one wacky week! Posting has been scarce because I'm swamped with design projects and...oh yes...throwing a wedding at my house this weekend!!! (So just an FYI, the boutique will be closed this weekend for the wedding but also the Strawberry Festival in the Village. 150,000 people in our little town! It was just too much for my little boutique to handle last year.) I promised a few pictures of the restaurant remodel I designed in Pismo Beach. There's quite a long punch list to finish (missing granite sills, faux paint, wood trim etc) but you can get a feeling for it from these pics. It is called Rosa's Italian Restaurant, some of the best food on the Central Coast! We basically tore it all down to studs and built back up from there. The bathrooms and the back banquet room are fantastic. I'll post those pics and more when the project is complete! If you're on the Central Coast definitely check it out!!!
(I had to keep the furniture and the carpet but the rest is all new, including the fantastic fireplace, pretty fun bar huh? That's a TV in the back bar mirror baby!) prrrrrrrrr.....
by Mari Robeson in Interior Design, New News!
Humbled, flattered, excited, thankful! I was totally surprised to hear my article was out yesterday. I had not expected it until May, but apparently "May" in magazine talk means "April"...what do I know???, regardless, I feel very grateful that my little boutique received such a lovely write-up in this months (well next months) "May", Romantic Homes!!! The entire issue is full of yummy delights and fantastic gift ideas for Mom!
Thank you Robin for taking such beautiful pictures of the boutique! Thank you Meryl Schoenbaum for writing such a nice article. You were a pleasure to work with! And a special thanks to Hillary Black and Jacqueline deMontravel who were so easy to communicate with and made my entire experience with Romantic Homes one I will always cherish!!!! 
by Mari Robeson in Interior Design, New News!
I was just told that one of the houses I designed last year was voted one of the Telegram Tribune's favorite homes of 2007!! That's really icing on the cake, considering my clients on that job were two of the finest, nicest people I've ever worked with. Thank you Tribune!!!
2007 Favorite Homes
I have to say Sunday is my favorite day of the week. I don't rest often, but on Sunday I definitely move a little slower. I just walked through Mom and Dad's house and feel very happy at how quickly things are moving along, although they may not think so. I always warn my clients when they are about to embark on a building or remodel project, that there will be frustration. For them it never seems to go fast enough. I know my parents are feeling that which I completely understand. I have to crack up at the latest chalk board post. (I think she meant to write "framers" "Ray" was our framer...get it...ha ha) because the carpenters are just getting ready to start. :-)
On a completely different note; it's time to plant your Paper White Bulbs! I LOVE these for sweet little holiday hostess and teacher gifts. If you plant them now, by the holidays they will be blooming and sweet smelling. You can put one or many in any kind of container, even a plain old jar with a pretty ribbon. Here's the tip. If you put them in small rocks they will only bloom once. If you plant them in dirt, you can use them again. Happy, Restful Sunday everyone!
A few years back I had the pleasure of working with the Fernandez's on their new Tuscan style house in Edna Ranch. Edna Ranch is one of the most beautiful areas in San Luis Obispo County surrounded by rolling hillsides of wine grapes....De-licious! Today it was featured in the Living section of the San Luis Obispo Tribune! They were so kind as to give me credit as the designer and my good friend Ernie Kim was the architect. A lovely couple to work with and a lovely home in paradise! You can read the full article here.
by Mari Robeson in Interior Design, New News!
It's so amazing to me that 3 men are able to build a house from scratch. Bo, Ray, and Spencer have been out here six days a weeks, sawing and hammering away...They are so talented! So here's the progress of Frank and Ethel's house today.
OK and how cute is this? In my guest room where my parents are staying I have a little chalkboard. I've always used it to write welcoming notes to my guests...but Mom and Dad have reinvented this little chalkboard. It has become a place for little love notes to one another. How darn cute is that after 56 years (I hope that's right) of marriage they still leave each other cute little notes. This has been going on for the past few months...I just had to share it...Yesterday (Mom) Ethel hurt her knee pretty bad so here's the note (Dad) Frank left her. Awwwwww....
by Mari Robeson in Delish Decor!, Interior Design, Kid Spaces!
I received a nice email from my designer friend, Shelly, over at Trilogy Central Coast. www.trilogylife.com Trilogy is a beautiful community in Nipomo, CA. I was fortunate to meet Shelly when she came into my showroom a couple months ago. She was decorating one of the new models at Trilogy and needed a few finishing touches for a little girls room. We used my Cheetah and White Tiger Signature Banners above the bed and I also created a custom piece of art by painting the letter "A" on the glass of a frame. I used the fabric from the pillow sham behind the glass. I also used the fabric to create a custom foot stool in the vanity area, trimmed with pom pom fringe....so cute. We hung 2 gorgeous chandeliers from my friends at www.ilite4u.com. Here is the link to a virtual tour of the house Shelly did. The last room is where I was fortunate to work with her. Thank you Shelly! Virtual Tour
I'm always looking for unusual wall finishes. The folks at http://www.beearo.com have come up with a unique and fun applique made from wood veneer. They are meant for wall surfaces that are smooth and not heavily textured an they can be removed quite easily. Gotta' love this fresh approach to wall decor!
It's official! After many discussions, my husband and I, along with my parents, have agreed to build a secondary house on our property for my parents to live in. My parents who live the next city over have just sold their house so we are in a full-court-press to get this project underway. When Bill and I designed and built our house 4 years ago we went with a predominately French architectural style. So it would make sense that we build my parents an adjoining little French Chateau! One of my favorite sites I like to send my new design clients to is http://www.homeportfolio.com. It's a fantastic site for ideas and resources especially at the beginning of a new project such as this. I highly recommend book marking this site if you have an inclination towards building or remodeling.
Goodness, Gracious! What a busy week! Running two businesses certainly can be hectic at times. I really enjoy commercial design, like the children's rooms I do, there is a lot of creativity in designing restaurants. Tom Reay from Omni in San Luis Obispo, is a great architect that has been working with me on the remodel of a local restaurant. He shot this website over to me last night. Eye candy! Enjoy...
http://ultraglas.com
